Laboratory tongs



Nov. so, 1926. 1,608,498

' E. H. FISHER LABORATORY TONGS Filed June 20, 1925 R WITNESSES 'NVENTO W M I v 21.5 Nil Patented Nov. 30, 1926.

UNITED STATES EDWIN H. FISHER, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

LABORATORY TONGS.

Application filed June 20, 1925.

This invention relates to tongs for laboratory use. More particularly it relates to tongs for lifting hot beakers, cups, crucibles, etc., of a circular form.

l The objects of the invention are to pro vide a pair of tongs having convenient handles, adapted to securely grip and hold circular objects of different sizes, and generally to improve the structure and adaptability of such devices.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the tongs; Fig. 2 is a lan View; and Fig. 3 is a section on the line I IIIII of Fig. 2.

In laboratories and like places, there is frequent need for tongs for picking up crucibles, beakers, evaporating dishes, etc, that are too hot to handle directly, or that contain dangerous acids, etc. Usually such receptacles are circular, but their diameters vary widely. Therefore to be generally use ful such tongs must be capable of securely holding dishes of a considerable-range of diameter or size. Also they must be of a material that will not be injured by contact with acids, and other corrosive chemicals. They must be capable of quick and secure hand holding, as the spilling of such dishes may often be disastrous.

These ends I have met by the construction illustrated, wherein the tongs comprise two handle members 1 and 2, oined by a rivet S. The handles are formed of rod or wire stock, the free ends being bent back upon the body portions to form finger loops i and 5, re-

' spectively. These finger loops are positioned a sufficient distance from the free ends of the handles so that the doubled portions thereof furnish a secure grip for the palms of the hand of the operator. Finger loop 4% lies in the plane of the tongs and is adapted to engage the operators index finger, while loop 5 is turned at an oblique angle to the plane of the tongs, so as to comfortably engage the thumb of the manipulator, while the other fingers and palm securely grip the handles themeselves, as will be obvious.

By the plane of the tongs is meant the plane that would comprise the axes of both Serial No. 38,463.

handles. It is substantially the plane that passes between the flattened faces connected by rivet 3.

Beyond the rivet, each handle carries a flattened jaw piece 6. These are attached by any suitable means or by crimping tubular extensions 7 on the end of the handles, as illustrated. The portions that form the attaching tubular extensions are continuations of stiffening ribs 8 that extend along the backs of the jaws. These form grooves 9 in the faces of the jaws that are useful in engaging the edges of beaker-s, evaporating dishes, etc.

The tongs, or at least the jaws 6, are made of some acid-resisting metal alloy that will not be attacked by laboratory fumes or liquids.

The jaws 6 are made of flattened elliptical contour. That shape permits a secure gripping of circular vessels of a wide range of diameters, with a maximum length of contact of jaw to vessel in each case.

I claim:

1. Laboratory tongs comprising handles formed of wires pivotally connected at an intermediate point, having their free ends turned back upon themselves to form gripping portions of double size, and having the terminals of the wires forming such grip-- ping portions bent to form respectively inter mediately positioned finger and thumb-engaging loops.

2. Laboratory tongs as specified in claim 1 characterized by the fact that the thumbengaging loop lies in a plane oblique to the plane of the tongs.

Laboratory tongs as specified in claim 1 characterized by the fact that the thumbengaging loop lies in a plane oblique to the plane of the tongs, and the finger engaging loop lies in the plane of the tongs.

4:. Laboratory tongs as specified in claim 1 characterized by the fact that theother ends of the wires carry attached flattened elliptical jaw members made of non-corrosive metal.

In testimony whereof I sign my name.

EDWIN H. FISHER. 

